September 14, 13:09IOL

Chiefs, Sundowns, and Durban City teams learn their opponents in CAF tournaments

Four South African clubs participating in continental competitions this season have determined their opponents in the next rounds of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will continue their campaigns in the Champions League, while Kaizer Chiefs and Durban City have found out who they will face in the next stage of the Confederation Cup.

Sundowns received an opponent from Angola—Viliete, and Pirates will meet a team from Namibia—African Stars. In the Confederation Cup, Chiefs will play against a team from Zambia—Red Arrows, and Durban City will play Port Louis from Mauritius.

For Durban City, this match was a continuation of an impressive progression to the next round. Coach Khalil Ben Youssef expressed satisfaction with how his team handled the two-legged tie against Ruinzo.

Ben Youssef noted: 'It was a good two-legged performance on our part. We knew what we had to do after the first match, and the players did well in both games.'

The coach particularly praised the players' ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions in the second match. He added: 'Coming here always presents a different challenge. You need to adapt to the conditions, the environment, and the game itself, and I think the players managed that well.'

Ben Youssef also emphasized that Durban City was not just set to defend the advantage gained in the first match. He stated: 'We came here not to sit back and defend the result of the first match. We wanted to play, we wanted to score a goal, and we wanted to win the game, and we did that.'

The match was not without tense moments, as Ruinzo managed to equalize after Durban City took a dominant position.

Khalil Ben Youssef commented on the situation when the team was leading 2-0: 'When we were leading 2-0, we were in a strong position, but when they scored, we had to remain calm. I think the players showed good character to manage the game and see it through.'

Durban City is experiencing continental football at this level for the first time, and Ben Youssef believes that every round brings valuable experience to the club. He noted: 'For the club, this is new experience. We learn with every game and every round, and it is important that we continue to improve along the way.'

The coach quickly shifted focus to the next task after securing qualification. He concluded: 'We are happy to advance, but this is what we expected from ourselves. Now we need to recover, go home, and prepare for the next challenge.'

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iol.co.zaSeptember 13, 13:45

Durban City relies on defense in CAF Confederation Cup historical match against Rukinzo FC in Burundi

The Durban City team will travel for the second leg of their confrontation in the CAF Confederation Cup against Rukinzo FC at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Sunday. Before this match, the team has a slight advantage in the scoreline—1:0.

Although the team does not expect a powerful attacking potential in Burundi, it is confident in its solid defense. This match, which is the club's first away game in the continental inter-club tournament, is considered one of the most significant in the history of Nedbank Cup winners. The two-legged aggregate advantage was gained thanks to Rukinzo's own goal in the first match at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

During the season, City managed to score more than one goal only once, which occurred during an away victory over Kruger United with a score of 2:0. The start of the season also included two goalless draws.

Team Preparation

Head coach Khalil Ben Youssef criticized the lack of sharpness in attack, but he managed to create exceptional stability in defense. Ben Youssef built his structure around the main defensive unit, consisting of Siyabonga Msomi, Siphamandla Ncanana, John Mokone, and Bandile Shandu, as well as involving Emmanuel Jalai, Liam de Kock, and versatile player Tylo Sanger.

The central midfielder and captain of the club, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, plays a key role in this core. He performs heavy work in front of the defense, providing a vital shield through intense pressing, positional discipline, and tackling skills, allowing City's creative players to operate confidently.

Together, this group has secured three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, starting with the victory over Kruger United. Moreover, throughout the season, City suffered only one league defeat, which happened in the first match against Sekhukhune United.

This strong defensive block is also supported by Ghanaian goalkeeper Frederick Asare, who is in inspiring form. Another match without conceding goals guarantees passage to the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup. Asare shared his thoughts: 'Preparation this week went very well and positively. The coaches prepared us mentally, physically, and tactically. The result of the first match had a positive impact in the camp. We expected to win by a large margin, but Rukinzo were well-organized tactically and were difficult to break down.'

He added that this historic campaign means a lot to him because it provides the opportunity to compete with the best clubs in Africa. 'It is a serious test for a club traveling to Burundi with a narrow victory, but we are all determined and focused. I firmly believe that thanks to our preparation, we will bring the victory back to Durban.'

Match Prospects

Ben Youssef remains realistic about the upcoming challenge. In Durban, Rukinzo demonstrated dangerous counterattacks, but trailing the aggregate score 1:0, the hosts from Burundi will now be forced to open up and try to level the score with the visitors.

The coach warned: 'It will be a tough game. Rukinzo is a good team, and we know what they are capable of, especially in attack. We have worked hard this week and are ready for the game.' If Poggenpoel and the City defenders can hold up against the urgently attacking Rukinzo team, another clean sheet will write the next chapter in the club's historic continental journey.

iol.co.zaSeptember 12, 10:00

Tabo Sele moves to Mamelodi Sundowns, joining a group of players who played for Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns

Tabo Sele's move to Mamelodi Sundowns places the midfielder in an exclusive group of athletes who represented two of South Africa's three biggest clubs.

The club officially announced Sele's signing this week after he left Kaizer Chiefs by mutual agreement to terminate his contract. For Sele himself, this step marks a new important stage in a career that already included stints in Europe and a return to South Africa.

However, his arrival at Chloorkop also puts him in the same league as some of the most famous names who wore both the black-gold colors of Chiefs and the yellow of Sundowns. This list includes players who have won league titles, continental trophies, captained both clubs, and in some cases, become iconic figures in South African football.

From Chiefs to Sundowns—and back

One of the most prominent recent examples is Hama Billiat. The Zimbabwean forward became one of Sundowns' most influential players after moving from Ajax Cape Town in 2013. He was part of the team that won the CAF Champions League in 2016 before transferring to Chiefs in 2018. Billiat's debut for Chiefs was against his former club, ensuring an immediate encounter with Sundowns.

Ramakhwa Mphakhlele also made a direct transfer between these two clubs, moving from Sundowns to Chiefs before the 2016/17 season. The defender spent six seasons at Amakhosi, making 127 official appearances, and captained both clubs throughout his career. He recently stated that despite outstanding periods at Chiefs and Sundowns, his true dream has always been Orlando Pirates.

Another player is George Maluleka, whose transfer was particularly significant because it happened in reverse. After six years and over 130 matches for Chiefs, Maluleka moved to Sundowns in 2020. He managed to win trophies at Chloorkop, although his time there was significantly shorter than his career at Chiefs.

Kagan Dolly followed a similar notable path. After establishing himself as a South African star at Sundowns and helping them win the league title in the 2015/16 season and the CAF Champions League in 2016, Dolly moved to Montpellier and then returned home to Chiefs in 2021.

This list extends further. Among former forwards who represented both clubs are Kenny Niemah, Katlego Mphela, and Derrick Spencer, while Gaston Sirino is another recent example after several years at Sundowns before moving to Chiefs.

Sele now becomes part of this dynasty.

A different challenge awaits Sele

His transfer is also interesting due to the circumstances surrounding it. Sele joined Chiefs only in January 2025 after several years playing in Portugal, Poland, and Russia. He won the Nedbank Cup with Amakhosi and was an important part of the midfield before his departure.

Now he is moving to Sundowns, a team that recently regained its top position in the Betway Premiership and carries the expectations associated with being the reigning CAF Champions League holder. This transfer means that Sele will ultimately play against his former club wearing the colors of one of its main rivals.

This is a test that every player crossing the boundary between Chiefs and Sundowns must face. Some were accepted, others faced suspicion. For some, this transfer defined their entire career.

Sele now has the opportunity to decide which category he belongs to. However, his first task is simpler: to establish himself in the Sundowns squad. If he achieves this, his name will eventually be placed alongside some of the most decorated players who successfully navigated the path between Naturena and Chloorkop.